A GUNMAN in a balaclava burst into a pub and shot dead a man of 23 in the middle of a ­family 60th birthday party.

Two others aged 25 and 26 were wounded in the legs. A fourth victim, 29, was hit in the lower back in the shooting late on Friday night.

Yesterday the injured were being treated in ­hospital and the murder victim was named as Mark Short.

The masked killer opened fire at around 10 ­minutes to ­midnight in a crowded room in the Cotton Tree pub at Droylsden, Greater Manchester.

He got away in a ­stolen Ford Focus, possibly with two ­others who ­waited in the car, police said. It was found dumped yesterday, eight miles away in Hattersley, having been set alight.

Chief Supt Nick Adderley said of the victims: “They are known to police but it would be unfair to link their criminal history to this incident.

“We send our deepest condolences to the family. The witnesses are being co-operative with the police. They have family liaison officers with them. We don’t know who the intended murder victim was at this stage. Four males were shot.”

He said the gunman fired four shots from a revolver-type weapon in a room filled with at least 20 people.

Mr Adderley said of the Cotton Tree: “It doesn’t feature on our radar as a troubled licensed premises.” A local shopkeeper, who did not want to be named said: “The shooting in the pub was shocking. This is a nice area. We have never had any problems.”

Investigators were yesterday ­examining the crime scene, CCTV, and the fire-damaged Focus.

Among floral tributes at the pub was the message: “To Mark. Rest in peace. Love and miss you always. Amanda Joyce xxxx.”

Another said: “Bye Mark. So sad. May you have a bed in heaven. All my love. Teresa. xxx”

Greater Manchester Chief Constable Garry Shewan said: “If anyone wants to provide information, extra officers will be in and around the area all weekend.”